Folding machine



J. MENTGES FOLDING MACHINE Sept. 5, 1933.

Filed May 29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l Zhwentor (lttornelw FOLDING MACHINESept Filed May 29, 1931 '4'Sheets-Sheet 2 23TH) gnf J. MENTGES FOLDINGMACHINE Sept. 5, 1933.

Filed May 29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IQ @III J. MENTGES FOLDING MACHINE 4Sheets- 4 S pt. 5, 1933.

File May 1931 anor Patented Sept. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEThis invention relates to folding machines, and more particularly tofolding machines of the type employed in the folding of sheets of paperor the like.

In the patent to W. 0. Blake, No. 1,655,491, granted January 10, 1928,there is disclosed paper folding machinery including a loop folder and aknife folder and wherein the knife operates through the loop folder gridto tuck a sheet delivered therein into folding rollers mounted at theside of the grid opposite that on which the knife is mounted. One objectof the present invention is to provide a folding machine of the typejust referred to, which embodies improvements in the manner of handlingand delivering the sheets, and enables the knife, through the medium ofnovel means, to be thrown out of operation when the loop folder isemployed to fold the sheets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improvements infolding machines, which may be utilized in connection with loop folders,or knife folders, or combinations thereof, and result in increasedefliciency of the folding means embodying said improvements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies a folding knife and novel means for controlling theoperation of said knife in accordance with the character of the foldedproduct of said machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies feed or drive-up rollers movable to operative'andinoperative positions and controlling the operation of a folding knife.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich enables sheets to be fed longitudinally and laterally in a gridfor registration with a folding knife movable therethrough to fold saidsheets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies a grid having means for moving a sheet laterally thereofto register it properly with the sheet folding means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies a grid having a sheet registering device movablelaterally thereof and adjustable to act on sheets of various sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies a grid having sheet stops at one end and one side thereofto limit movement of sheets both longitudinally and laterally of thegrid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich embodies a grid having a sheet stop adjustable laterally thereofto various operative positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich has roller adjusting devices-and novel means for locking the sameagainst accidental displacement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich has a reversible grid and deflector constructed for associationwith sheet feeding and folding rollers so that in one position of thegrid the rollers may fold a sheet and in a reverse position of the gridthe sheet may be passed through said rollers without folding.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich has novel stacking means arranged to swing into operative relationwith one or the other of a plurality of folding devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich has novel stacker operating means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding machinewhich has novel means for swinging a stacker to, and locking the samein, different operative positions.

These and other objects of the present invention will appear as thefollowing description thereof proceeds, and in order to more clearlyunder stand said invention, reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate one embodiment of the inventive idea.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a folding machine equipped with devicesembodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 2--2 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of a foldingknife and mechanism for operating the same;

Fig. 3a is a detail perspective view of a grid, stop devices, and scalesemployed in conjunction with said stop devices;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig.1; I

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of roller adjusting means andlocking means therefor, the parts being shown separated for purposes ofclearer illustration;

Fig. 5a is an enlarged detail sectional view of ing means therefor shownin Fig. 5;

Fig. 5b is a view similar to Fig. 5a, showing other roller adjustingmeans and locking means therefor, embodying the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of stacker operating mechanismshown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6a is a detail sectional view of a reversible grid and deflectorshown in Fig. 4:

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view of sheet stackers andoperating mechanisms therefor shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a grid and a knifemovable therethrough, showing means for controlling the operation of.the knife and means for moving sheets laterally of the grid to registerthem with respect to said knife.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views, 5 indicates broadly a supportor stand the sides 6 and '7 of which are connected together by crossmembers (not shown) secured thereto in any suitable manner. This supportor stand has secured thereto, as by bolts 8, 8 and 9, 9, the two sides10 and 11, respectively,

. of a frame which is indicated broadly at 12 and carries the variousmovable parts of a folding machine and associated devices embodying thepresent invention (Figs. 1, 2 and 4). The sides 10 and 11 of the frame12 are connected together by cross members 13, 13, 14, 14, and 15 whichare bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said sides, as at 16, 16,1'2, 17', and 18, respectively. The sides 10 and 11 of frame 12 areprovided with feet 18' having suitable openings therein for the bolts 8,8 and 9, 9.

The movable parts on the frame 12 may be driven from any suitable sourceof power, herein shown as an electric motor 19 supplied with currentfrom any suitable source and controlled by any suitable type of switch(not shown) for starting and stopping said motor. Fixed on the armatureshaft 20 of the motor 19 is a pulley 21 around which passes a belt 22that also passes around a pulley 23 which is fixed on a shaft 24extending transversely of the machine and journalled in suitablebearings on the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12. This shaft 24 constitutesthe main drive shaft of the machine from which the various movable partsthereof are driven as hereinafter described.

The motor 19 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 25, on aplate 26 which, in turn, is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at27, on one arm 28 of an L-shaped bracket 29 which is pivoted, as at 30,on the side 7 of the support or stand 5. The other arm 31 of the bracket29 has an enlarged upper end 32 provided therein with an arcuate shapedslot 33 through which extends a bolt 34 that also extends through asuitable opening in one of the feet 18' on the side 11 of frame 12 andis secured against displacement therefrom by any suitable means for thispurpose. By loosening the bolt 34, the bracket 29 and the motor 19thereon may be swung about the pivot 30 thus enabling the tension ofbelt 22 to be regulated as desired. When the'proper or desired tensionon belt 22 is obtained, the bolt 34 is tightened to hold the bracket 29and the motor 19 against accidental swinging movement about the pivot30.

The support or stand 5 may, if desired, be dispensed with, and thefolding machine instead of being mounted on said stand, could be placedon any other suitable support such as a table or the like. In this casethe bolts 8, 8 and 9, 9 would be removed and the frame 12 and partscarried thereby placed on said table with the feet 18 resting thereonand, if desired, secured thereto by said bolts or other suitablefastening means. The bracket 29 and the motor 19 could in this instance,be secured to the table. or the bracket could be dispensed with and themotor mounted on the floor or other suitable supporting means. The motorwould, of course, be connected with the shaft 24, as before described,or by any suitable driving connections for said motor with said shaft.

The sheets to be folded by the machine may be fed thereto from anysuitable source of supply,

either by hand, or by any suitable automatic feeder. As herein shown,the sheets are fed by hand into the machine from a supply carried by apack holder which is indicated broadly at 35 and has opposite sidemembers 36 pivoted at 37 on the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12 at the topthereof. The side members 36 of pack holder 35 are connected together bycross members 38 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said sidemembers and extending transversely thereof. Slidably mounted on thecross members 38 are brackets 39 on which are bolted or otherwisesuitably secured the side guides 40 of the pack holder. Brackets 39 arereleasably secured on the cross members 38 by thumb screws 41 or othersuitable means for this purpose.

The pack or supply of sheets is supported between the side guides 40 ona series of juxtaposed slats 42 or similar elements having spring clips43 which are engaged over the cross members 38 and serve to removablysecure said slats in position thereon. The width of the pack holder 35may be increased or decreased, as desired, to accommodate sheets ofvarious sizes, by moving the brackets 39 and the side guides 40 alongthe cross members 38 and increasing or decreasing the number of slats 42between said side guides. The clips 43 on the slats 42 enable them to bereadily secured to and removed from the cross members 38, and throughthe medium of the thumb screws 41, the brackets 39 and the side guides40 may be secured in any desired position of adjustment on said crossmembers.

In the normal operation of the machine, the pack holder 35 is positionedas shown in full lines in the drawings and the sheets are fed one at atime from the supply thereof on said pack holder past sheet feeding andcontrol mechanism which is indicated broadly at 44 (Fig. 2) and servesto feed and control the delivery of sheets to the first foldingmechanism indicated broadly at 45. A second folding mechanism indicatedbroadly at 46 is disposed below the pack holder 35 and a third foldingmechanism, indicated broadly at 47, is disposed directly below saidsecond folding mechanism. In order to have ready access to the foldingmechanism below the pack holder 35, the latter may be swung up from itsoperative position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, to an inoperativeposition indicated in dotted lines in said figure.

The pack holder may be held up in its inoperative position by anysuitable means for this purpose herein shown as a support 48 having oneend thereof pivotally connected at 49 with one of the side members 36 ofthe pack holder. The opposite end of the support 48 is provided thereonwith a hook 50 which, when the pack holderis raised to itsinoperativeposition, engages over one of a pair of bolts 51 carrying nuts 52 onwhich the side members 36 of said pack holder normally rest. The bolts51 extend through suitable openings in the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12at the top thereof, and by disengaging the hook from the adjacent bolt51, the pack holder may be dropped down to its normal operative positionwhere the support 48 depends downwardly from said pack holder exteriorlyof the frame 12.

The sheet feeding and control mechanism 44 includes feed rollers 53, adrop roller 54, preferably made of rubber or other frictional material,and a control finger 55. These devices are operated by mechanismhereinafter described so that during each cycle of operation of themachine, the drop roller 54 and the finger 55 are raised, the lattermomentarily stopping the incoming sheet, whereupon said finger and thedrop roller are lowered to move the finger out of the normal path oftravel of the sheet and enable the drop roller to engage the sheet withone of the feed rollers 53 which then act to feed the sheet betweenknurled feed rollers 56 and 57 of the folding mechanism 45. The knurledrollers 56 and 57, together with a.knurled roller 58, a grid 59, and astop 60 in said grid, constitute the main elements of one of a pair ofof loop folding devices comprising the folding mechanism 45. The otherof said loop folding devices includes knurled rollers 61, 62, 63, a grid64, and stops in said grid.

The roller 56 extends transversely of the frame 12 and has trunnions 56(Fig. 1) joumalled in fixed bearings 66 on the sides 10 and 11 of saidframe. The rollers 57 and 58 also extend transversely of the frame 12,in parallel relation with each other and the roller 56, and havetrunnions 57', 58 journalled in blocks 67 slidably mounted in guides 68on said sides 10 and 11 of the frame 12. The roller 61 extendstransversely of the frame 12 and has trunnions 61' joumalled in fixedbearings 69 on the sides 10 and 11 of said frame. The rollers 62 and 63also extend transversely of the frame 12, in parallel relation with theroller 61, and have trunnions 62' and 63 journalled in blocks 70slidably mounted in guides 71 on said sides 10 and 11 of the frame 12.The various rollers of the folding mechanism 45 are driven continuouslyin the directions of the arrows (Fig. 2) through driving connections forsaid rollers with the shaft 24 that are preferably comprised by thefollowing devices. Fixed on the main drive shaft 24 is a spur gear 72which meshes with a similar gear 73 that is fixed on a stub shaft 74journalled in a.suitable bearing on the side 11 of frame 12 (Figs. 1 and2). The stub shaft 74 also has fixed thereon a spur gear 75 which mesheswith a similar gear 76 fixed on one of the trunnions 61 of the roller61. The roller 61 is thus driven continuously by the described drivingconnections therefor with the continuously driven shaft 24, and saidroller serves to continuously drive the rollers 62 and 63 through themedium of a spur pinion 7'7 (Fig. 2) which is fixed on the trunnion 61'that carries the gear 76 and meshes with similar pinions 78 and 79 fixedon corresponding trunnions 62 and 63, respectively, of the rollers 62and 63.

The roller 56 is driven continuously by the spur gear 76 which, for thispurpose, meshes with a similar gear 80 fixed on one of the trunnions 56'of said roller. The roller 56, in turn, serves to continuously drive therollers 57 and 58 which, for this purpose, have fixed on correspondingtrunnions 57' and 58 thereof, spur pinions 81 and 82, respectively,which mesh with a similar pinion 83 fixed on the trunnion 56' thatcarries the spur gear 80.

The feed rollers 53 are continuously driven from the roller 56 in thedirection indicated by the arrow (Fig. 2), and for this purpose the spurpinion 83 meshes with an idler pinion 82' joumalled in any suitablemanner on the side 11 of frame 12 and, in turn, meshing with a spurpinion 83 fixed on a shaft 84 which carries the feed rollers 53. Thisshaft 84 extends transversely of the frame 12, and is joumalled insuitable hearings on the sides 10 and 11 thereof. The feed rollers 53and the finger 55 are arranged for movement in suitable openings formedin a plate 85 over which the sheets are fed from the pack holder 35 tothe rollers 56 and 57. This plate 85 extends transversely of the machineacross the entire width thereof and is bolted or otherwise suitablysecured on the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12 at the top thereof.

The drop roller 54 and the finger 55 are preferably operated and mountedas follows. Fixed on the main drive shaft 24 is a spur pinion 86(Fig. 1) which meshes with a large spur gear 87 fixed on a main camshaft 88 extending transversely of the frame 12 and joumalled insuitable hearings on the sides 10 and 11 thereof. The cam shaft 88 isthus driven continuously from the shaft 24 through the described drivingconnections therebetween. Fixed on the cam shaft 88 to rotatecontinuously therewith, is a cam 89 engaged by a roller 90 journalled onan arm 91 pivoted at 92 on the side 10 of frame 12. This arm 91 haspivotally connected therewith, as at 93, one end of a link 94 theopposite bent end of which is pivotally connected, as at 95, with an arm96 fixed on a shaft 97 at one end thereof. This shaft 97 extendstransversely of the frame 12 across its entire width, and is journalledin suitable bearings on the sides 10 and 11 thereof. The'shaft 97 hasfixed thereon arms 98 that carry a rotatable shaft 99 on which the droproller 54 is mounted.

Pivotally connected at with the link 94 is one end of a link 100 theopposite end of which is pivotally connected, as at 101, with the freeend of an arm 102 that is fixed on a rockshaft 103. This rockshaft 103has fixed thereon the finger 55, and said rockshaft extends transverselyof the frame 12 and is journalled in suitable hearings on the sides 10and 11 thereof. The arm 102 has connected therewith, as at 104, one endof a spring 105 the opposite end of which is connected, as at 106, withthe side 10 of frame 12. This spring 105 tends to exert a downward pullon the drop roller 54, the finger 55, and the link 95, and continuallymaintains the roller 90 in engagement with the cam 89. The link 94 isthus cam-operated in one direction and spring-operated in the oppositedirection, and said link, through the described connections thereforwith the drop roller 54 and the finger 55, serves to raise and lowersaid roller and finger at predetermined intervals with the resultingaction thereof on the sheets as previously described.

The folding mechanism 45, as previously pointed out, includes therollers 56, 57, 58 and 61, 62, 63. The rollers 56 and 61 are journalledin fixed bearings, as before described, whereas the rollers 57, 58 and62, 63 are joumalled in movable bear ings for adjustment and yieldingaction relative to the rollers 56 and 61, respectively. In accordancewith the present invention, adjusting devices are provided for theyieldable rollers, which facilitate yielding action thereof and areprovided with locking means so constructed and operated as to preventaccidental displacement of the adjusting devices after they have beenactuated to properly adjust the rollers. Accordingly, the blocks 67 areprovided therein with suitable openings the walls of which are threadedto receive the threaded ends 107 of adjusting bolts 108 extendingloosely through suitable openings in the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12 andhaving threaded ends 109 projecting outwardly therefrom (Figs. 1, 2, 5and 5a). The adjusting bolts 108 have flattened portions 110 whichextend adjacent the threaded ends 107 into the openings in the blocks67. Screws 111, or the like, threaded in suitable openings in the blocks67, engage the flattened portions 110 of adjusting bolts 108 and preventthe same from turning in said blocks. Mounted on the adjusting bolts 108are springs 112 corresponding ends of which bear against the blocks 67.The opposite ends of the springs 112 bear against the walls 113 ofenlarged openings 114 in which the blocks 67 are inserted for movementinto the guides 68.

The springs 112 enable the rollers 57 and 58 to yield relative to theroller 56 in the feeding of sheets through said rollers, and the rollers57 and 58 are adjusted with respect to the roller 56, by adjusting nuts115 which are threaded on the ends 109 of bolts 108 and bear against thesides 10 and 11 of frame 12. The rollers 57 and 58 may be adjustedrelatively to the roller 56 by turning the nuts 115 to move the bolts108, blocks 107, and rollers 57, 58, and after the desiredadjustments'of said rollers have been obtained, the adjusting nuts 115are locked by thumb screws 116 threaded through suitable openings inheads 117 secured, as by screws 118, on the threaded ends 109 of thebolts 108. Each of the thumb screws 116 is provided with an enlargedupper end 116' adapted to bear against the head 117, and a smoothreduced lower end 118' adapted to engage in one of an annular series ofopenings 119 (Figs. 5 and 5a) formed in the nut 115. The lineardimensions of the openings 119, the screws 116 and the lower smoothreduced ends 118' of said screws are such that regardless of thepositions of the parts, said ends 118' are prevented from contacting thebot- .toms of said openings. smooth lower ends 118' of screws 117 in theopenings 119 of nuts 115, as stated, insures against accidentaldisplacement of said nuts through vibration of the machine, or othercauses. It will therefore appear, that when the rollers 57 and 58 havebeen adjusted, said rollers and their adjusting bolts will, by thelocking means of the present invention, be continuously maintained inproper positions.

In accordance with the present invention, the rollers 57 and 58 may beprovided with adjusting devices and locking means therefor constructedas shown in Fig. 5b, in which case the shank of the locking screw 116"is threaded throughout its entire length so that when said screw isturned into engagement with the top of the nut 119, the latter will becanted slightly, as shown, thus binding the threads of the bolt 108 andthe nut 115 and preventing turning movement of said nut until the screw116" is turned out of engagement therewith.

The roller 63 may be provided with adjusting and locking means such asshown in Figs. 5a or 5b. The roller 62 may also be provided withadjusting and locking means such as shown in Figs. 5a or 5b, the bearingblocks 70 for said roller, however, resting on springs 120 (Fig. 1) theopposite ends of which are received in suitable openings formed in saidblocks and the bearings 69. The blocks 70 in which the trunnions ofroller 62 are journalled, extend between the springs 120 and the forwardendsof levers 121 Engagement ,of the which bear against said blocks. Thelevers 121 are pivoted, as at 122, on the sides 10 and 11 of the frame12, and the rear ends of said levers are provided with suitable openingsfor the bolts 108 of adjusting devices similar to those previouslydescribed in connection with the rollers 57, 58 and 63. In the lattercase, however, the bolts 108 are threaded in suitable openings in thesides 10 and 11 of frame 12, and said bolts are provided on the lowerends thereof with lock nuts 123 which bear against said sides of frame12 and prevent turning movement of the bolts. It will appear, from theforegoing, that the roller 62 may yield relative to the roller 61 and beadjusted with respect thereto by the levers 121 and the adjustingdevices connected with said levers and the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12.

The grid 59, as herein shown, is comprised by upper and lower plates124, 125 bolted or otherwise suitably secured together in spacedrelation and extending at an angle to the line of feed of sheets betweenthe rollers 56 and 57. The grid 59 is bolted or otherwise suitablysecured, as at 126, on brackets 127 which, in turn, are bolted orotherwise suitably secured, as at 128, on inclined arms or extensions129 of the sides 10 and 11 of frame 12. The stop 60 extends in the grid59 through longitudinal slots thereof, and said stop is adjustable alongthe grid, as desired, to stop the sheets at any predetermined pointtherein. Accordinglmthe stop 60 is secured, as by a thumb screw 130(Fig. 2) on one end of a rod 131 adjustably secured, as by a thumb screw132, on a bracket or extension 132' on the upper end of the grid 59.

The stop 60 having been properly adjusted on the grid 59, sheets fedinto said grid by the rollers 56 and 57 engage said stop so that thesheets are buckled, fed between and folded by the rollera 56 and 58. Thesheets so folded may then be delivered directly out of the machine ontoa stacker 133 which, under these conditions, will occupy the positionthereof indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In thiscase. a deflector 134 (Fig. 2) is turned to the dotted line positionthereof illustrated in said flgure, to deflect the sheets from therollers 56, 58 onto the stacker 133. This deflector 134 is provided atits opposite ends with trunnions 135 (Fig. 1) rotatably and slidablyreceived in suitable openings formed in the sides 10 and 11 of the frame12, one of said trunnions having mounted thereon a spring (not shown)which bears against the side 10 and-the adjacent end of the deflectorand normally tends to urge the latter toward the side 11 of said frame.Fixed on one of the trunnions 135, exteriorly of the side 10 of frame 12is an operating handle 136 by which the deflector may be turned to itsfull and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thisoperating handle is provided with a pin 137 which, when the deflector isreciprocated and rotated to change its position as aforesaid, may beengaged in openings such as indicated at 137' to retain the deflector inthe desired position of adjustment.

The sheets may, however, each have a second fold made therein parallelwith the first fold, by the rollers 61, 63, in which case the deflector134 is adjusted to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings. guided by the deflector between the rollers 61 and 62 whichfeed the sheet into the grid 64 and onto driven tapes 193 that extendlengthwise of the grid and carry the sheet therealong to a point Eachsheet is thenwhere it is stopped by the stops 65 that have previouslybeen adjusted to engage the leading edge of the sheet and stop it beforethe sheet passes out of said rollers. A folding blade 138 forming partof the folding mechanism 46 is, at this time, retained against movementby means which will hereinafter be described. When the sheet is stoppedin grid 64 by the stops 65 for folding by the rollers 61, 63, said sheetis buckled, fed between, and folded by said rollers and deliveredthereby across a narrow plate 139 onto the stacker 133 which, at this,time, occupies the full line position thereof shown in the drawings. Theplate 139 extends transversely of the frame 12 and is bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the sides 10 and 11 thereof adjacent therollers 61 and 63.

In accordance with the present invention, the stacker 133 is mounted onthe frame 12 to swing thereon to two positions in one of which thestacker may receive once folded sheets from the rollers 56, 58 and inthe other of which said stacker may receive twice folded sheets from therollers 61 and 63. The stacker 133 is preferably operated, constructed,and mounted, as follows. Fixed on the continuously rotating cam shaft 88is an eccentric 140 around which passes a strap 141 having secured to orformed integrally therewith a short grooved arm 142 (Figs. 1, 6 and 7).Secured, as at 143, in the groove of arm 142 is a long arm 144 which ispivotally connected,.as at 145, with a pawl carrier 146. This pawlcarrier 146 is loosely mounted on a shaft 147 extending transversely ofthe frame 12 and journalled in suitable hearings on the sides 10 and 11thereof. The carrier 146 has pivotally mounted thereon, as at 148, apawl 149 which is adapted to engage a ratchet 150 that is fixed on theshaft 147. The arm 144 is also pivotally connected, as at 151, with oneextremity of a link 152 the opposite extremity of which is pivotallyconnected, as at 153, with a second pawl carrier 154 that is looselymounted on the shaft 147 between the pawl carrier 146 and the side 10 offrame 12. The carrier 154 has pivotally mounted thereon, as at 155, aweighted arm 156 which carries a pawl 157 and maintains the same inengagement with the ratchet 150.

The shaft 147 serves to drive the movable elements of the stacker 133,and is rotated intermittently in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawings, through the described drivingconnections for said shaft with the cam shaft 88. In accordance with thepresent invention, the shaft 147 is rotated through a double throwaction of a single eccentric or cam and connections therefor with saidshaft. These connections, as herein shown, include the arm 144 and thelink 152 which, during each cycle of operation of the machine, rock thecarriers 146 and 154, in opposite directions toward and away from eachother as indicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings.The pawls 149 and 157 are positioned reversely with respect to eachother and the ratchet 150, as clearly shown in the drawings, and whenarm 144 and link 152 move to the left, said pawls move in the samedirection, the pawl 149 engaging one of the teeth of ratchet 150 torotate shaft 147, and the pawl 157 sliding idly over the teeth of saidratchet. When the arm 144 moves to the right, the pawls 149 and 157 movein the same direction, the pawl 157 engaging one of the teeth of ratchet150 to rotate shaft 147, and the pawl 149 sliding idly over the teeth ofsaid ratchet. The

double throw action of the eccentric thus obtained acts to rotate theshaft 147 always in the same direction, and at considerably increasedspeed over that obtainable by the usual single throw pawl and ratchetdevices.

The stacker 133 is loosely mounted on the shaft 147 to swing thereon toits different operative positions, and said shaft has fixed thereon torotate therewith, an inner pulley 158 and outer pulleys 159 spaced fromsaid inner pulley and arranged on said shaft at opposite sides thereof(Figs. 1, 2 and 7). Passing around the outer pulleys 159 are tapes 160which also pass around pulleys 161 journalled in any suitable manner onbrackets 162 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 163,on a plate 164 at the rear thereof. This plate 164 has secured to orformed integrally therewith arms 165 provided therein with suitableopenings through which the shaft 147 loosely extends. The tapes 160travel over the plate 164 in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 7), thepulleys 161 and the brackets 162 extending upwardly through suitableopenings formed in the rear of said plate, and the arms 165 extendingforwardly and downwardly from the plate, as clearly shown in thedrawings.

Passing around the pulley 158 is a tape 1650 which also passes around apulley 166 journalled in any suitable manner on a bracket 167. Thisbracket 167 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 168, on theforward end of a plate 169 the rear portion of which has bolted orotherwise suitably secured thereto, as at 170, brackets 171. Thebrackets 171 have secured to or formed integrally therewith arms 172provided therein with slots 173 which are removably engaged over a stayshaft 174 extending transversely of the stacker and secured in anysuitable manner to the arms 165 at the lower forward ends thereof. Thearms 172 have rearwardly and upwardly directed extensions 175 the upperends of which engage plate 164 on the under side thereof, as clearlyshown in the drawings. The tape 165a travels over the plate 169 in thedirection of the arrow (Fig. 7). The tapes 160, 165a, are intermittentlydriven a plurality of steps during each revolution of the eccentric 140through the described connections therefor with the shaft 147, and saidtapes serve to intermittently advance the folded sheets deliveredthereon from the folding mechanism 45, over the plates 164 and 169.Curved stop fingers or the like 176 (Fig. 1) secured in any suitablemanner on the plate 169 at the forward end thereof, serve to preventaccidental displacement of the folded sheets from the forward end of thestacker.

Pivoted, as at 177, on the plate 164 at the rear thereof, is a lever 178which is adapted to be releasably engaged in one or the other of a pairof notches 179 and 180 formed in a vertically extending bar 181 that isbolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 182, on the side 10 of theframe 12 (Figs. 1 and 7). The lever 178 has connected therewith, as at183, one extremity of a spring 184 the .opposite extremity of which isconnected, as at 185, with the plate 164. The spring 184 normally tendsto hold the lever forwardly in engagement with one or the other of thenotches 179, 180, and by swinging said lever rearwardly against thetension of said spring, and then moving the lever vertically, the entirestacker 133 may be swung about the shaft 147 to move it to the full ordotted line positions shown in the drawings. In the full line positionof the stacker shown in the drawings, the lever 178 is engaged in thenotch 179. and the stacker receives sheets from the rollers 61 and 63 ofthe folding mechanism 45. In the dotted line position of the stackershown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the lever 178 is engaged in the notch180 of bar 181, and the stacker receives sheets from the rollers 56 and58 of said folding mechanism.

In both positions of the stacker 133, the sheets are delivered onto thetapes 160 and plate 164, under drive-up wheels 182' which maintain thesheets in engagement with said tapes to assist the feeding actionthereof (Figs. 1 and 2). These drive-up wheels 182' raise and lower inaccordance with raising and lowering movement of the plate 164 whichoccur when the stacker 133 is swung about the shaft 147 to move saidstacker to one or the other of its operative positions, as beforedescribed. Accordingly, the drive-up wheels 182' are journalled in, anysuitable manner on arms 183 which, in turn, are rotatably mounted ontrunnions 184' formed at the opposite ends of a square shaft 185adjustably secured, as by a thumb screw 186, on the horizontal part ofan L-shaped bar 187 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at188, on the cross bar 15. Through the provision of the thumb screw 186and the bar 187, the drive-up wheels 182' may be adjusted longitudinallyof the stacker as desired while, at the same time, said drive-up wheelsare continuously maintained in engagement with the tapes 160 by gravityorweight of the wheels. The mounting of the wheels 182' and the arms183' that carry them enable said wheels to move upwardly when sheets arefed under the same, while at the same time, the weight of the wheelsengages the folded sheets with the tapes 160 to insure feeding of saidsheets thereby, as before pointed out.

The folding mechanism 46,, herein shown as a knife and associatedfolding rollers, extends at right angles to the folding mechanism 45,and the sheets, instead of being folded once or twice in parallel, andthen delivered directly out of the machine onto the stacker 133, may befolded once by the first loop folder of mechanism 45 and then deliveredtherefrom to the mechanism 46 which makes a fold in each sheet at rightangles to the fold previously made therein. In this case, the deflector134 is shifted to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, so that each sheet, having a single fold made therein by therollers 56 and 58, is fed thereby across said deflector into the bite ofthe rollers 61 and 62 which, in turn, feed the sheet into the grid 64toward the stops 65 which have previously been adjusted so that thesheet is entirely clear of the rollers 61, 62 before it engages saidstops. In accordance with the present invention, the grid 64 hasassociated therewith means for feeding the sheets through the grid intoengagement with the stops 65, and said means is preferably operated,mounted and constructed, as follows.

The continuously rotating spur gear 76 meshes with an idler gear 189(Figs. 2 and 8) which is journalled in any suitable manner on the side11 of frame 12 and meshes with a spur gear 190 that is fixed on a shaft191 extending transversely of the frame 12 below the grid 64 andjournalled in suitable bearings on the sides 10 and 11 of said frame.Fixed on the shaft 191 are rollers 192 and pulleys 192' which extendupwardly through longitudinal slots of the grid in the plane of travelof the sheets therethrough. Passing around the pulleys 192 are tapes 193travelling in said plane and passing around pulleys 194.

The pulleys 194 also extend in the plane of travel of the sheets throughthe grid 64 and said pulleys are journalled in any suitable manner onbrackets 195 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured on aU-shaped plate 196. The plate 196, in turn, is positioned on the top ofcross member 14 between the latter and the grid 64, and said grid andsaid plate are bolted or otherwise sultably secured, as at 197, to saidcross member. The grid 64 comprises upper and lower plates 198 and 199bolted or otherwise suitably secured together in spaced relation, andthe end of the grid opposite that secured to the cross member 14, restson, and is supported by, the cross member 14'. The grid 64 is providedat opposite sides thereof with scales 199' (Fig. 3a) each having twosets of graduated marks thereon whereby the stops 65 may be set for thefolding of sheets of various sizes by the rollers 56, 58 or themechanism 46 respectively.

Each sheet to be folded by the mechanism 46,

passes from the rollers 61, 62 into the grid 64 over the rollers 192 andtapes 193 which act to advance the sheet in the grid until the leadingedge of said sheet engages the stops 65. In order to maintain the sheetin engagement with the rollers 192 and tapes 193, and thus insurefeeding of the sheet thereby along the grid to the stops 65, drive-uprollers 200 are preferably employed in conjunction with said pulleys andsaid tapes. These drive-up rollers 200 are journalled in any suitablemanner on arms 201 which areloosely mounted on rockshaft 103 andretained against endwise displacement thereon by any suitable means forthis purpose.

The stops 65 are secured to or formed integrally with holders 202 andextend into the grid between the longitudinal slots thereof (Figs. 3aand 8). The holders 202 are secured in any suitable manner on rods 203which extend through suitable openings formed in a support 204 on whichthe rods are adjustably secured, as by thumb screws 205. The support204, in turn, is adjustably secured, as by thumb screws 206, on rods 207extending in parallel relation with the rods 203 and, in turn, secured,as at 208, on brackets 209 that are bolted or otherwise suitablyfastened on the grid 64. It will appear, from the foregoing, that thestops 65 may be adjusted along the grid to any desired position, bymoving the support 204 on the rods 207. A further adjustment of thestops 65 is provided through the medium of the rods 203 which may beadjusted, as desired,

to move these stops longitudinally of the grid and relative to thesupport 204. When making these adjustments of the stops 65, thecorresponding thumb screws are loosened and the stops moved to thedesired position, whereupon said thumb screws are tightened to hold thestops in said position.

The knife 138 is moved, by means hereinafter described, up and downthrough the central longitudinal slot 138' (Fig. 3a) of the grid 64 and,in accordance with the present invention, means are provided forregistering the sheet transversely of its path of travel into the grid,before the sheet is folded by said knife. As herein shown, said meanscomprises a manually adjustable stop 210 movable through slots 211, cuttransversely of the grid at one side of the knife 138, and anautomatically operated sheet registering device 212 which is movablethrough slots 213 out in the grid transversely thereof at the oppositeside of said knife (Figs. 3a, 4 and 8). In addition to the supportingmeans for grid 64, previously described, said grid is secured by screws214', on brackets 214 one of which carries the stop 210. These brackets214, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured, as at 215, onthe sides 10 and 11 of the frame 12. The stop 210 is secured to orformed integrally with a rod 216 provided thereon, if desired, withmeans for indicating various positions of the stop in accordance withvarious sizes of the sheets to be folded by mechanism 46. This rod 216extends through a suitable opening in the bracket 214 on side member 11,and said rod is adjustably secured to said bracket, as by a thumb screw217 which provides for adjustment of the rod and the stop 210transversely of the grid 64.

The sheet registering device 212 is preferably operated, mounted, andconstructed as follows. Fixed on the cam shaft 88 is a cam 218 whichengages a roller 219 that is journalled on one end of a bent arm 220(Fig. 8). This arm 220 is pivotally mounted, as at 221, on the crossmember 14', and the opposite end of said arm is provided therein with anopening through which a shaft 222 loosely extends (Figs. 1, 4 and 8)This shaft 222 is rotatably and slidably mounted in a suitable openingformed in the side 10 of frame 12, and said shaft extends transverselyof grid 64 and is also slidably and rotatably mounted in a suitableopening formed in a block 223. The block 223 is rigidly secured, as at224, on one end of a guide rod 225 extending in parallel relation withthe shaft 222. The opposite end of the guide rod 225 extends through asuitable opening in the side 10 of frame 12 and is rigidly securedthereto, as at 226. The arm 220 is engaged over the shaft 222 betweenthe side 10 of frame 12 and a collar 227 which is fixed on said shaft inany suitable manner.

Exteriorly of frame 12, shaft 2221s provided thereon with a spring 228one end of which bears against the side 10 of said frame and theopposite end of which bears against a hand wheel 229 that is fixed onthe shaft and provided with a turning handle 230. The shaft 222 isprovided intermediate the opposite ends thereof with a threaded portion231 which extends through, and has threaded engagement with the wallsof, an opening formed in a block 232 that carries the sheet registeringdevice 212. This block 232 is provided at one end thereof with a slot233 which is engaged over the guide rod 225, this engagement of theblock 232 with said guide rod, preventing turning movement of theregistering device 212 while enabling said device to be movedlongitudinally of the shafts 225 and 222 when the latter is rotated bythe hand wheel 229. ,The side register device 212 may thus be adjustedtransversely of the grid 64 to various positions, in accordance withvarious sizes of sheets to be folded by the mechanism 46, or said sideregistering device may be adjusted for removal'from the path of sheetswhich are fed into grid 64 for folding by the rollers 61, 63.

These adjustments of the side registering device may be madeindependently of, but simultaneously with the operation of said deviceby the cam 218, the arm 220, and the spring 228, it being understoodthat during the operation of the machine, the sheet registering device212 and the shaft 222 are continuously reciprocated by the cam operatedarm 220 and the spring 228. It will further appear, that the spring 228serves to maintain the roller 219 continuously in engagement with thecam 218 so that in rotation of the latter, the arm is rocked in onedirection against collar 227 to thereby move the shaft 222 in the samedirection, the spring 228 thereafter acting, when the low part of cam218 engages roller 219, to move shaft 222 and arm 220 in the oppositedirection.

As each sheet fed to folding mechanisms 46 to be folded thereby, passesinto grid 64 and engages stops 65, the sheet registering device 212engages one edge of the sheet and pushes said sheet laterally of thegrid so that the opposite edge of the sheet engages stop 210 and is thusregistered with the knife 138 for folding thereby. The sheet registeringdevice 212 is then moved in the opposite direction for engagement withthe next sheet to register it as aforesaid with the knife 138 of foldingmechanism 46. In order to prevent obstruction of movement of the sheetat the slots 211 and 213, the grid bars 234 and 235 adjacent said slotsare provided with oppositely bevelled ends 236 and 237, respectively,between which each sheet is received and guided during its travellongitudinally of the grid 64 to the stops 65. In order to preventobstruction to travel of the sheets at the slots 238 of the grid 64, thegrid bars 234, 234' are provided with oppositely bevelled side edges239, 239' and 240, 240' between which each sheet is received and guidedwhen the side registering device 212 pushes it laterally in the grid 64against the stop 210.

Additional sheet supporting and guiding means are provided on the gridbars 234, 234' having the bevelled edges 239, said bars being somewhatwider than the bars immediately above the same to provide increasedsheet supporting and guiding surfaces. Likewise, the bars 234, 234'having the bevelled edges 240 are of greater width to provide increasedsheet supporting and guiding surfaces, and said bars are of greaterwidth than the bars provided with the bevelled edges 239'.

The folding mechanism 46 includes the knife .138 and a pair of knurleddriven rollers 241, 242 extending in parallel relation with the knifeand between which the registered sheet is tucked by said knife forfolding by said rollers. The knurled rollers 241, 242 are driven in thedirection of the arrows, Fig. 4 of the drawings, from the main driveshaft 24 of the machine which, for this purpose, has fixed thereon abevel gear 243 (Fig. 2). This bevel gear 243 meshes with a similar gear244 that is fixed on one of the trunnions 245' of a knurled roller 245having associated therewith similar knurled rollers 246 and 247 providedat their opposite ends with trunnions 246 and 247', respectively. Therollers 245, 246 and 247 form part of the folding mechanism 47 whichwill hereinafter be described in detail, and said rollers extend below,and in spaced parallel relation with the rollers 241- and 242 and arejournalled in suitable bearings on the cross members 14, 14.

Fixed on the trunnion 245 opposite that carrying the bevel gear 244, isa spur pinion 248 which meshes with a large idler gear 249 journalled ona stud 250 that is fixed on the cross member 14 in any suitable manner.This idler gear 249, in turn, meshes with a spur pinion 251 which isfixed on one of the trunnions 241 of the roller 241. The trunnions 241'of the roller 241 are journalled in fixed bearings on the cross members14, 14. The spur pinion 251 meshes with a similar pinion 252 that isfixed on one of connections for said rollers with the continuouslydriven shaft 24. The roller 242 is yieldable relative to the roller 241to accommodate the sheets therebetweemthe roller 242 being mounted inmovable bearings which are slidably mounted on the cross members 14, 14'and provided with adjusting devices and locking means therefor of thetype disclosed in Fig. 5a or Fig. 5b of the drawings.

The knife 188 is operated from the cam shaft 18 which, for this purpose,has fixed thereon a cam- 253 (Figs. 2 and 3) with which is engaged aroller 254 journalled in any suitable manner on the lower bent portionof an arm 255. This arm 255 is adjustably secured, as at 256, on asecond arm 257 that is fixed on a rockshaft 258 extending transverselyof the cross members 14, 14' and journalled in suitable bearingsthereon. The rockshaft 258 also has fixed thereon a curved arm 259 onthe free end of which is mounted the folding blade 138. The blade 138 issecured on the free end of arm 259 between the latter and a bar 260, asby machine screws 261 or the like.

The lower bent end of the arm 255 has pivotally connected therewith oneend of a spring pressed rod 262 the opposite end of which passes througha suitable opening formed in a block 263 that is bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the cross member 14'. The spring 264 for the rod 262is mounted thereon between the block 263 and a collar 265 which is fixedon said rod in any suitable manner. The spring 264 acts to swing arms255, 257 in one direction and the cam 263 acts to swing said arms in theopposite direction, the spring further acting to continuously maintainthe roller 264 in engagement with said cam. The arms 255, 257, rockingtogether in opposite directions as described, impart like motion to theshaft 258 which thus acts to rock the arm 259 and the blade 138 up anddown so that each time a sheet is delivered under and registered withthe blade 138 for folding thereby, said blade descends and tucks thesheet between the rollers 241, 242 which complete the folding operation,as previously described.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided forpreventing operation of the folding blade 138 when the grid 64 and stops85 therein are utilized, in conjunction with the rollers 61, 62, 63, tomake a second parallel fold in the sheet and deliver it directly fromthe machine, said means being preferably mounted, constructed, andoperated as follows. The rockshaft 103 has loosely mounted thereon arms266 provided in corresponding ends thereof with openings through whichsaid rockshaft extends (Fig. 8). The opposite ends of the arms 266 areprovided therein with openings for a stop rod 267 which extendstransversely of the grid 64 under the arms 201 that carry the drive-upwheels 200. The stop rod 267 is secured against endwise displacement inthe arms 266, as by machine screws 268 or the like, and endwise movementof said stop rod and said arms along the rockshaft 103 is prevented bycollars 269 secured to said rockshaft at opposite sides of one of saidarms. Loosely mounted on the stop rod 267 between one of the arms 266and a collar 270 fixed on said rod, is a bent lever 271 provided in thefree ends thereof with' notches 272 and 273 one or the other of whichmay be engaged over a stop pin 274 secured in any suitable manner on theside 10 of frame 12 at the top thereof.

When the folding mechanism 46 is employed to fold sheets received fromthe: first loop folder or folding mechanism 45, the lever 271 is movedto engage notch 273 thereof with pin 274. The stop rod 267 is thus swungdown toward the grid 64, and the arms 201 and the drive-up rollers 200are lowered so that the latter act, in conjunction with the rollers 192and the tapes 193, to feed each sheet longitudinally of the grid, asbefore described. When the grid 64, however, is employed in conjunctionwith mechanism 45 to make two parallel folds in each sheet, the knife138, which otherwise would move up and down through the grid 64, isthrown out of operation and held upwardly in an inoperative positionabove said grid. This is effected by moving the lever 271 and engagingthe notch 272 thereof with the pin 274, thus swinging the arms 266 andthe stop rod 267 upwardly so that the latter engages an extension 275 ofbar 260 as clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The stop rod 267thus acts to hold the knife 138 upwardly in an inoperative position, andprevents operation of said knife by the described operating meanstherefor, until the stop rod 267 is lowered by the lever 271. When thestop rod 267 is raised to throw the knife 138 out of operation, the arms201 and the drive-upv rollers 200 are likewise raised by said rod toinoperative positions. Raising of the drive-up rollers 200, as stated,is effected in order to insure against the feeding action thereof thatwould otherwise occur in a direction opposite to that of the feedingaction of rollers 61 and 63.

In accordance with the present invention, an additional drive-up roller276 is provided, which acts in conjunction with one of the tapes 193 tofeed the sheets longitudinally of grid 64 for folding by the knife 138.This drive-up roller 276 is journalled in any suitable manner on an arm277 which is loosely mounted on an adjusting screw 278 carried by ablock 279. The block 279 is adjustably mounted on a rod 280 and securedthereon in any desired position of adjustment, as by a screw 281. Therod 280 is pivoted at one end thereof on one of the arms 201, and theopposite end of said rod rests on the support 204 between a guide pin282 thereon and a yoke 283 which is formed on said support over theknife 138 and provides for raising and lowering movements' thereof. Thedrive-up roller 276 may, if desired, be positioned opposite the slots213 to feed the sheets past the same, and the pivot for said drive-uproller has mounted thereon a bent arm 284 which extends over the rod 280and is engaged thereby to lift the drive-up roller 276 when the drive-uprollers 200 are lifted.

Each sheet folded by the knife 138 and the rollers 241, 242, may bedelivered directly out of the machine onto a stacker 133' which, underthese conditions may occupy the full line position or the dotted lineposition thereof shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, according to thepositions of a deflector 285 and a reversible grid and deflector 286.If, for example, the deflector 285 is positioned as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the stacker 133' is positioned as shownin dotted lines therein. The deflector 285 is provided at its oppositeends with trunnions 287 rotatably and slidably received in suitableopenings formed in the cross members 14 and 14' (Figs. 2 and 4). One ofthe trunnions 287 has mounted thereon a spring 288 which bears againstthe cross member 14 and the adjacent end of the deflector 285 andnormally tends to urge the latter toward the cross member 14'. Fixed onone of the trunnions 287, exteriorly of the cross member 14, is anoperating handle 289 by which the deflector may nausea in the case ofthe stacker 133, the reference characters are primed.. The stacker 133is driven from the continuously rotating cam shaft 88 which, for thispurpose, has fixed thereon a bevel gear 290 (Fig. 7). This bevel gear290 meshes with a similar gear 291 that is fixed on a short shaft 292journalled in a suitable bearing on the cross member 14 and projectingfrom opposite sides thereof. The shaft 292 has flxed thereon theeccentric 140' which is thus driven continuously through the describeddriving connections therefor with the shaft 88. The eccentric 140'serves to operate the movable parts of the stacker 133', and the shaft147, which carries said stacker, is journalled in suitable bearings onthe side 10 of frame 12. The notched bar 181' and the lever 178' serveto releasably hold the stacker 133' in either of its operative positionsindicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and saidnotched bar is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cross members13 and 14.

Bolted or otherwise suitably secured on the plate 164' of the stacker133', and extending transversely thereof, is a yoke 293 on the top ofwhich is secured, as at 294, the L-shaped bar 187' (Fig. 4). Mounted on,and adjustable along the horizontal portion of the bar 187' is thesquare shaft 185 having trunnions at its opposite ends, as in the caseof the square shaft 185. The shaft 185 is secured, as by the screw 186',on the bar 187, and the trunnions of said shaft have journalled thereon,and retained against displacement therefrom in any suitable manner, arms295 on which are journalled drive-up wheels 296 between which and thetapes 160', the folded sheets are advanced by the latter along thestacker a plurality of steps during each revolution of the eccentric140'. The arms 295 are provided with stops 297 which extend under thetop of the yoke 293 in slightly spaced relation therewith. These stops297 prevent undue vertical displacement of the drive-up wheels 296while, at the same time, said stops, being slightly spaced from the topof the yoke 293, enable said wheels to raise and lower sufficiently toaccommodate the folded sheets fed thereunder by the tapes 160'. It willappear, from the foregoing, that the drive-up wheels 296 are mounted onthe stacker 133' and moved bodily with said stacker when the same isturned to its different operative positions about the shaft 147'. Theoperation of the stacker 133' is the same as the operation of thestacker 133, and when the stacker 133' and the deflector 285 are movedto their dotted line positions shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, sheetsfolded by the knife 138 and the rollers 241, 242 are delivered acrosssaid deflector onto the stacker 131 between the drive-up wheels 296 andthe intermittently driven tape 160. The intermittently driven tape 160',and the intermittently driven tape 165' advance and stack the sheetsalong the plates 164' and 169' as will be clearly understood from thedescription in connection with the stacker 133.

sheets folded by the knife folding mechanism 46 may, instead of beingdelivered directly out of the machine fromsaid mechanism, be deliveredtherefrom to the mechanism 47 which, as herein shown, is a loop folderadapted to'make a fold in the sheet parallel with the fold made thereinby the preceding knife folder. The mechanism 47, as before pointed out,includes a reversible grid and deflector 286 and the feeding and foldingrollers 245, 247 and 246 associated therewith. The trunnions 245' of theroller 245 are journalled in fixed bearings on the cross members 14,14', and the trunnions 246' and 247' of the rollers 246 and 247 arejournalled in movable bearings 67 slidably mounted on said cross membersand yieldable to enable the rollers246 and 247 to yield relative to theroller 245. The rollers 246 and 247 may be adjusted, as desired, withrespect to the roller 245 and, accordingly, the bearings for rollers.246 and 247 are provided with adjusting devices and locking meanstherefor of the type disclosed in Fig. 5b of the drawings. The adjustingdevices or bolts 108' for the bearings of roller 247 are somewhat longerthan the adjusting devices or bolts previously described and extendoutwardly through suitable slots and openings formed in the crossmembers 14, 14 and the side 11 of frame 12, respectively,

The rollers 246 and 247 are driven from the roller 245, and for thispurpose the spur pinion 248 meshes with similar pinions 298 and 299fixed on trurmions 246 and 247 at corresponding ends of the rollers 246and 247. The reversible grid and deflector 286 comprises lower and upperplates 300 and 301 which are bolted or otherwise suitably securedtogether in spaced relation and mounted on the cross members 14, 14' soas to receive sheets from the rollers 245 and 247. For this purpose, thecross members 14, 14' have secured thereto, as by bolts 303, brackets302 on which the reversible grid and deflector is removably secured, asby bolts 310 or other suitable fastening means. The grid plates 300, 301have extending therein, and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a sheetstop 304 which is secured, as by a screw305, on a bar 306. The bar 306,in turn, is adjustably secured, as by a thumb screw 307, on an extension308 of the upper grid plate 301. This upper grid plate 301 is providedat one end thereof with a deflector 309 which, when the grid ispositioned as shown in Fig. 6a of the drawings, serves to deflect sheetsthrough the rollers 245, 247 and 246 of mechanism 47 without the sheetbeing folded by said mechanism.

, When it is desired to fold sheets by the mechanism 47, the reversiblegrid and deflector 286 thereof is positioned as shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings and the deflector 285 is moved to the full line positionthereof shown in said figure. The stop 304 is then adjusted properly andthe sheets delivered from the rollers 241, 242, pass one after anotherbetween the rollers 245 and 247. Each sheet passing between the lastnamed rollers is fed thereby between the grid plate 300, 301, theleading edge of the sheet engaging the stop 304 and said sheet beingbuckled, fed be tween, and folded by the rollers 245, 246. At this time,the stacker'133' is moved to the full line position thereof shown inFig. 4 of the drawings, and the folded sheets pass from the rollers 245,246 onto said stacker which acts to advance and stack the sheets oneafter another, as previously described.

It was previously pointed out, that sheets, after being folded by themechanism 46, could be delivered directly out of the machine by movingdeflector 285 and the stacker 133' to the dotted line positions thereofshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Delivery of relatively small sheets outof the machine from mechanism 46 without further folding is, however,preferably effected by moving the deflector 285 and the stacker 133 tothe full line positions thereof shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings andreversing the grid and deflector 286 from the position thereof shown insaid flgure, to the position of said grid and deflector shown in Fig. 6aof the drawings. In this case, the driveup wheels 296 may, if desired,be adjusted closer to the rollers 245, 246 and the bolts 310 are removedand the reversible grid and deflector 286 is turned so that said gridand deflector occupies the position shown in Fig. 6a of the drawingswhere said grid and deflector is secured in said position by said bolts.

It will appear, from the foregoing, that a machine embodying the presentinvention is capable of making a wide variety of folds, and that thenovel roller adjusting devices and looking means therefor insure againstaccidental displacement of the folding rollers after they have beenproperly adjusted. It will further appear, that the present inventionenables a folding knife to be quickly and conveniently thrown into andout of operation, as desired, and that the control of the knife in thismanner may be effected simultaneously with movement of driveup rollersinto and out of operative positions.

Further, a machine constructed in accordance with the present inventionenables sheets to be automatically registered laterally of the grid, aswell as longitudinally thereof, and also enables sheets to be delivereddirectly out of the machine from different folding mechanisms onto astacker movable into operative relation with each of said mechanismsthrough a simple turning movement. Further, the reversible grid anddeflector of the present invention eliminates the necessity forcomplicated devices to permit or eliminate folding, and provides aconstruction which may be quickly adjusted as a single unit to cooperatewith rollers in the folding of a sheet or provide for movement of thesheet through rollers without folding thereby.

The present invention may be embodied in various types of foldingmachines and, while one embodiment of said invention has been describedand illustrated herein with more or less particularity, it is to beexpressly understood that the invention is not limited to saidembodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a folding machine, a loop folder, a folder having a knife movablethrough the grid of the loop folder, means enabling said folders to beselectively employed for folding sheets, and means for preventingoperation of said knife when the sheets are folded by said loop folder.

2. In a folding machine, a loop folder, 2, folder extending at rightangles to the loop folder and having a knife movable through the gridthereof, means enabling said folders to be selectively employed forfolding sheets, and a sheet engaging device movable to hold the knife inan inoperative position when the sheets are folded by said loop folder.

3. In a folding machine, a loop folder, a folder having a knife movablethrough the grid of the loop folder, means enabling said folders to beselectively employed for folding sheets, one or more drive-up rollersfor engaging sheets fed to the knife for folding thereby, and meansmovable to throw the drive-up roller or rollers out of operation andprevent movement of said knife through said grid when the sheets arefolded by said loop folder.

4. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, means for feeding sheets to the knife and including a sheetengaging member, and means for moving the sheet engaging member tooperative and inoperative positions and including an element adapted toengage the knife and hold it in an inoperative position.

5. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, a rotatable sheet engaging member, and means adapted to move saidsheet engaging member to an inoperative position and prevent theoperation of said knife.

6. In a folding machine, a folding knife,

mechanism for operating the same, sheet feeding means including aroller, and a roller moving member movable into the path of travel ofthe knife to prevent the operation thereof.

7. In a folding machine, a normally reciprocating folding knife, a sheetengaging member, and means for moving the sheet engaging member tooperative and inoperative positions and adapted to obstruct the movementof said knife.

8. In a folding machine, a normally reciprocating folding knife providedwith an extension, a sheet engaging member, and means for moving saidmember adapted to be engaged by said extension and thereby prevent theoperation of said knife.

9. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, one or more drive-up rollers, and means for swinging said rolleror rollers and adapted to prevent the operation of said knife.

10. In a folding machine, a folding knife, a drive-up roller arranged toswing to operative and inoperative positions, a pivoted member adaptedto swing said roller and engage said knife, and means for swinging saidmember.

11. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, a member movable into and out of the path of travel of the knife,and means for moving the member in one direction to prevent operation ofthe knife and for moving said member in the opposite direction to enablesaid knife to operate.

12. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, a member movable into and out of the path of travel of the knife,means for moving the member in one direction to prevent operation of theknife and for moving said member in the opposite direction to enablesaid knife to operate, and sheet engaging means movable by said memberto operative and inoperative positions.

13. In a folding machine, a folding knife, mechanism for operating thesame, sheet engaging means movable to operative and inoperativepositions, means for moving the sheet engaging means as aforesaid andadapted to prevent operation of the knife when said sheet engaging meansis moved to its inoperative position, and means for locking said sheetengaging means in its operative and inoperative positions.

14. In a folding machine, a folding knife, a loop folder grid throughwhich the folding knife may move when operated, and means for preventingthe operation of said knife.

15. In a folding machine, a loop folder, a folder having a knife movablethrough the grid of said loop folder, and means for feeding sheets alongthe grid from rollers of the loop folder and. comprising driven tapesextending along said grid between opposed extremities thereof.

16. In a folding machine, a loop folder, a folder having a knife movablethrough the grid of said loop folder, and means for feeding sheets alongthe grid for folding by said second named folder and comprising driventapes extending longitudinally of the grid between opposed extremitiesthereof and rollers cooperating with the tapes and movable to operativeand inoperative positions.

1'7. In a folding machine, a loop folder, a folder having a knifemovable through the grid of the loop folder, means enabling sheets to beselectively folded by one or the other of said folders, driven tapesarranged to feed sheets along the grid for folding by the second namedfolder, rollers arranged to cooperate with the driven tapes, and meansfor moving the rollers to inoperative positions when the sheets arefolded by said loop folder.

18. In a folding machine, a loop folder, driven tapes adapted to feedsheets along the grid thereof, and a folder having a knife movablethrough said grid and between said tapes.

19. In a folding machine, a loop folder including a grid, and driventapes extending lengthwise of and adapted to feed sheets along the gridof said loop folder.

20. In a folding machine, folding mechanism including a grid, means forfeeding sheets along the grid and including one or more drive-up rollersmovable to operative and inoperative positions, and another drive-uproller movable with the flrst named drive-up roller or rollers tooperative and inoperative positions.

21. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, sheet feeding meansincluding a drive-up roller, means for moving the drive-up roller tooperative and inoperative positions, a member connected with and movableby the drive-up roller, and a second drive-up roller mounted on saidmember and movable thereby to operative and inoperative positions.

22. In a folding machine, a knife folder, a loop folder having a grid onwhich a sheet may be fed for folding by the knife holder, and means formoving the sheet laterally of the grid to register said sheet withrespect to said knife folder.

23. In a folding machine, a knife folder, 8. loop folder having a gridon which a sheet may be fed for folding by the knife folder, 2. sheetregistering device movable transversely of the grid and adapted to pushsaid sheet laterally thereof into register with said knife folder, andmechanism for operating said sheet registering device.

24. In a folding machine, a knife folder, a loop folder having a grid onwhich a sheet may be fed for folding by the knife folder, a sheet stopat one side of the grid, and means for moving the sheet laterally of thegrid against said sheet stop to register said sheet with respect to saidknife folder.

25. In a folding machine, a knife folder, a loop folder having a grid onwhich a sheet may be fed for folding by the knife folder, a sheet stopat one side of the grid and adjustable laterally thereof to variouspositions, and adjustable means for moving the sheet laterally of thegrid against said sheet stop to register said sheet with respect to saidknife folder.

26. In a folding machine, sheet folding means,

a device for registering sheets with respect there to, a threaded shaftcarrying the sheet registering device and rotatable to adjust the same,a guide for the sheet registering device and preventing turning movementthereof on the threaded shaft, and means for moving the threaded shaftin opposite directions to operate said sheet registering device and moveit along said guide.

27. In a folding machine, a grid slotted'transversely thereof, a knifefolder to which a sheet may be fed on the grid, and a device movablelaterally of the grid in the slot thereof and adapted} to register saidsheet with respect to saidknife 0 der.

28. In a folding machine, a grid slotted trans'-' versely thereof, aknife folder to which a sheet may be fed on the grid, a sheet stopadjustable laterally of the grid in the slot thereof, and means formoving the sheet laterally of the grid against said sueet stop toregister said sheet with respect to said knife folder.

29. In a folding machine, a loop folder, 2. folder to which a sheet maybe fed from the loop folder, and means on the grid of said loop folderfor registering said sheet with respect to said second named folder.

30. In a folding machine, two folders having a sheet support common toboth of the same, and automatically operated means on said sheet supportfor laterally moving and registering a sheet with respect to one of saidfolders.

31. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid in which a sheet may be fedand registered, and an automatically operated device movable in saidgrid to register the sheet therein as aforesaid.

32. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid in which a sheet may befed, moved laterally, and stopped, means for moving the sheet laterallyin the grid and operated automatically therein, and means on said gridfor stopping the laterally moved sheet.

33. In a folding machine, a grid having a slot extending transverselythereof and grid bars with bevelled ends extending adjacent said slot toreceive and guide a sheet past the same.

34. In a folding machine, a grid having laterally extending slots formedin different portions thereof and grid bars with bevelled ends extendingadjacent said slots to receive and guide a sheet past the same.

35. In a folding machine, a grid having grid bars extendinglongitudinally thereof and provided with opposed bevelled edge portionsfor receiving and guiding a sheet laterally of said grid.

36. In a folding machine, a grid having grid bars extendinglongitudinally thereof and provided with opposed bevelled edge portionsfor receiving and guiding a sheet laterally of said grid, one of saidgrid bars being wider than the other to provide a supporting surface ofincreased size for the sheet.

3'7. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, rotatable means for moving theroller adjusting member and the roller and provided with a recess, andmeans movable into said recess to prevent turning movement of saidrotatable means.

38. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, rotatable means mounted on theroller adjusting member and adapted, when turned, to move said memberand the roller, 9. head on the roller adjusting member, and a device onsaid head movable to engage said rotatable means and prevent turningmovement thereof.

39. In a folding machine, folding means in cluding a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith and fixed against rotation,

' means for moving the roller adjusting member and the roller andcomprising a nut threaded on said member and provided with a pluralityof recesses, and a device movable into one of said recesses to preventturning movement of said nut.

40. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith and fixed against rotation, meansfor moving the roller adjusting member and the roller and comprising a.nut threaded on said member and provided with a recess, a head fixed onthe roller adjusting member, and a screw on said head movable into saidrecess to prevent turning movement of said nut.

41. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting bolt connected therewith, and bolt adjusting means and lockingmeans therefor mounted on said bolt and includ ing two members and adevice for connecting said members together.

42. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting bolt connected therewith, and bolt adjusting means and lockingmeans therefor including a nut threaded on the bolt, an element mountedon said bolt coaxially with the nut, and a screw for connecting said nutand said element together.

43. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting bolt connected therewith, and bolt adjusting means and lockingmeans therefor mounted on said bolt and including two axially alinedmembers and a device for connecting said members together and rotatableto cant them relatively.

44. In a folding machine, folding means in- I cluding a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, rotatable means on the rolleradjusting member and acting, when turned, to move said member and theroller, and means for canting said rotatable means to prevent turningmovement thereof. I

45. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, means for moving the rolleradjusting member and the roller and including a nut threaded on saidmember, and means for canting said nut to prevent turning movementthereof.

46. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, means for moving the rolleradjusting member and the roller and including a nut threaded on saidmember, and a screw carried by the roller adjusting member and adaptedto cant said nut and prevent turning movement thereof.

47. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, a rolleradjusting member connected therewith, a nut threaded on the nutadjusting member and acting, when turned, to move said member and saidroller, an element mounted on the roller adjusting member coaxially withthe nut, and a screw adapted to connect said nut and said element andmovable to cant them relatively.

48. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, an adjustingmember connected therewith, a nut threaded on the adjusting member andacting, when turned, to move said member and said roller, a head on theadjusting member, and a rotatable member adapted to connect said nut andsaid head together and cant them relatively.

49. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, an adjustingmember connected therewith, a nut threaded on the adjusting member andacting, when turned, to move said member and said roller, a head on theadjusting member, and a screw mounted on said head so as to connect thelatter and the nut together and cant them relatively.

50. In a folding machine, folding means including a roller, an adjustingmember connected therewith, a nut threaded on the adjusting member andacting, when turned, to move said member and said roller, a head flxedon the adjusting member, and a screw threaded through said head andadapted, when turned in one direction, to engage and cant said nut.

51. In a folding machine, a grid and a deflector combined as a singleunit reversible to provide for use of said grid or said deflectorselectively as desired.

52. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid and feeding and foldingrollers, said grid being provided thereon with a deflector constitutingtherewith a single unit reversible relative to said rollers to providefor use therewith of said grid or said deflector selectively as desired53. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid provided with sheetdeflecting means projecting rearwardly thereof and constituting withsaid grid a single unit reversible to provide for use of said grid orsaid means selectively as desired.

54. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid and a deflector constructedas a single unit reversible end for end to enable sheets to be folded bythe loop folder or passed therethrough without folding thereby.

55. ha folding machine, a loop folder grid open at one end and providedat its opposite end with a deflector, and means for supporting andsecuring said grid enabling it to be reversed end for end whereby sheetsmay be folded by the loop folder or passed therethrough without foldingthereby.

56. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid open at one end andprovided at its opposite end with sheet deflecting means, the grid beingadapted to have its open end faced toward rollers of the loop folder toreceive sheets in process of folding and said grid being reversible endfor end whereby said sheet deflecting means may be faced toward saidrollers to deflect sheets therethrough without folding.

57. In a folding machine, a reversible loop folder grid open at one endand having sheet deflecting means adjacent its opposite end, the grid,when positioned with the open end thereof between rollers of the loopfolder, enabling sheets to be folded by the loop folder, and said grid,when reversed, enabling the sheet deflecting means to be positionedbetween rollers of the loop folder so that sheets may pass through saidloop folder without folding thereby.

58. In a folding machine, a loop folder gridopen at one end and providedat its opposite end with sheet deflecting means, supporting means forthe grid for holding it in position adjacent the rollers of the loopfolder, and means for detachably securing the grid on said supportingmeans and enabling the grid to be reversed whereby its open end and thesheet deflecting means may be selectively positioned between saidrollers.

59. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid provided with a deflectorat the end thereof opposite that through which sheets normally enter thegrid, and a support on which the grid is reversibly mounted toselectively position its op-' posite ends between rollers of the loopfolder.

60. In a folding machine, a loop folder grid provided with a deflectorat the end thereof opposite that through which sheets normally enter thegrid, supporting means on which the grid is reversibly mounted toselectively face its op--v posite ends toward rollers of the loopfolder, and means for detachably securing said grid on said supportingmeans.

61. In a folding machine, a grid having opposed bevelled portions facedlongitudinal-ly'and laterally thereof and adapted to receive and guide asheet moved longitudinally and laterally of said grid.

62. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, andapivotally mounted stacker arranged to swing into operative relationwith each of said folding mechanisms.

63. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, a pivotallymounted stacker, and means for swinging said stacker into operativerelation with each of said folding mechanisms.

64. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, a stackerarranged to swing into operative relation with each of said foldingmechanisms, and means for locking said stacker in each of its operativepositions.

65. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, a stackerarranged to swing into operative relation with each of said foldingmechanisms, and locking means for the stacker including a member adaptedto swing said stacker into each of its operative positions.

66. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, and astacker selectively movable into operative relation with each of saidfolding mechanisms by swinging movement about an axis paralleltherewith.

67. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, a pivotallymounted stacker arranged to swing into operative relation with each ofsaid folding mechanisms, and means for operating said stacker in each ofits operative positions and enabling the stacker to be swung asaforesaid.

68. In a folding machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms, a drivenshaft, a stacker mounted on the driven shaft to swing into operativerelation with each of said folding mechanisms, and

means connecting said shaft with movable parts of the stacker to operatethe same.

69. In a folding machine, a stacker-therefor having a section arrangedto swing on the machine and a section mounted on and supported by saidfirst named section and adapted to swing therewith.

'70. In a folding machine, a stacker therefor having a section arrangedto swing on the machine and a section removably mounted on the meanswith the stacking means and moving said stacking means a plurality ofsteps during each cycle of operation of said operating means.

72. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, stacking means adapted toreceive folded sheets therefrom, a rotatable member, and connectionsbetween the stacking means and the rotatable member and actuated therebyalternately in opposite directions to move said stacking means aplurality of steps during each revolution of said rotatable member.

73. In a folding machine, folding mechanism, stacking means adapted toreceive folded sheets therefrom, operating means, and alternately actingmultiple throw pawl and ratchet mechanism connected with the stackingmeans and the operating means and actuated thereby to move said stackingmeans a plurality of steps during each cycle of operation of saidoperating means.

74. In a folding machine, a loop folder including a grid and means forfeeding a sheet therein, endless means associated with the grid forfeeding the sheet therealong when said sheet is fed therein by saidfirst named means, and means for stopping the sheet in the grid when itis fed therealong as aforesaid.

'75. In a folding machine, a loop folder including a grid and means forfeeding va sheet therein, and driven tapes extending lengthwise of thegrid for feeding the sheet therealong when said sheet is fed therein bysaid means.

76. In a folding machine, a loop folder including a grid and one or morerollers for feeding a sheet therein, a stop engaged by the sheet when ittravels along the grid, and driven tapes extending lengthwise of thelower part of the grid, said tapes receiving the sheet from said rolleror rollers and carrying said sheet along the grid until it engages saidstop.

JOHN MENTGES.

CERTIFICATE OF coRREcnoN.

PatentNo. 1,925,269. September 5, 1933.

JOHN MENTGES.

It is hereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneouslyissued to the inventor said "Mentges" whereas said patent should havebeen issued to Dexter Folder Company, New York, N. "Y., a corporation ofNew York, as assignee of the entire interest in said invention as shownby the records of assignments in this office; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of November. A. D. 1933.

F. M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

